System and Method for Isolating Components in an Enclosure

ABSTRACT

A system and method for isolating equipment within a cabinet. The system comprising an internal fan disposed within an internal chamber and an external fan disposed outside the internal chamber. The internal fan and the external fan are driven by a corresponding motor disposed within the internal chamber, wherein each motor independently rotates the internal fan and the external fan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Various industries commonly utilize indoor and/or outdoor cabinets forstoring components. For instance, businesses in the telecommunicationsindustry often use storage cabinets for storing components such ascable, electronic equipment, and the like. In addition to providing anenclosure for storing equipment, cabinets should generally be capable ofprotecting the stored equipment from elements outside the cabinet. Inoutdoor applications, for example, the cabinets may require additionalprotection due to regulations mandated by various industries. Suchregulations are often imposed since the cabinets may be exposed torelatively harsh elements associated with outdoor environments. Toprotect cabinets from conditions such as humidity, wind-swept rain andsnow, and the like, outdoor cabinets may need to be adequately sealedand configured with sufficient structural strength, while also beingable to maintain a relatively high cooling efficiency. Accordingly, itwould be desirable to provide a reliable cabinet that is operable tosatisfy various industry needs and regulations in an effective andefficient manner.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure includes a thermal system for isolatingcomponents. The system comprises a cabinet having an internal chamberfor storing a plurality of components therein. A first fan disposedoutside the internal chamber is operable to direct air into an outerchamber of the cabinet. The first fan is operatively connected to afirst motor operable to rotate the first fan about a first axis, whereinthe first motor is disposed within the internal chamber and issubstantially isolated from the first fan. A second fan disposed withinthe internal chamber is operable to direct air flow through the internalchamber. The second fan is operatively connected to a second motoroperable to rotate the second fan about a second axis, wherein thesecond motor is disposed within the internal chamber. The first motorand the second motor are configured to independently rotate the firstand the second fan, respectively.

In another aspect, the disclosure includes a cabinet comprising an outerchamber and an internal chamber for storing components. The internalchamber is substantially disposed within the outer chamber. An externalfan is disposed outside the internal chamber and is operable to directoutside air into the outer chamber of the cabinet and across a firstportion of at least one heat exchanger. The external fan is operativelyconnected to a first motor operable to rotate the external fan about afirst axis, wherein the first motor is disposed within the internalchamber and is substantially isolated from the external fan. An internalfan is disposed within the internal chamber and is operable to directair flow through the internal chamber and across a second portion of theat least one heat exchanger. The internal fan is operatively connectedto a second motor operable to rotate the internal fan about a secondaxis, wherein the second motor is disposed within the internal chamberand integrally attached to the internal fan. The first motor and thesecond motor are configured to independently rotate the external fan andthe internal fan, respectively.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure includes a method for isolatingcomponents within an internal chamber of a cabinet from an outer chamberof the cabinet. The method comprises rotating an external fan via afirst motor disposed within the internal chamber and substantiallyisolated from the external fan, wherein the external fan is disposedoutside the cabinet and is operable to direct outside air into the outerchamber. The method further comprises rotating an internal fan via asecond motor disposed within the internal chamber, wherein the internalfan is operable to direct air flow through the internal chamber. Thefirst motor and the second motor are configured to independently rotatethe external fan and the internal fan, respectively.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following brief description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a thermal system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-4 are cross-sectional front views of embodiments of a cabinetdepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a heatexchanger.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart corresponding to an embodiment of isolatingmotorized fans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrativeimplementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, thedisclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosureshould in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplarydesigns and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

Disclosed herein is a system and method for isolating components storedwithin a cabinet. In an embodiment, an internal fan is disposed withinan internal chamber of the cabinet and an external fan is disposedoutside the internal chamber. The internal fan is operatively connectedto a first motor disposed within the internal chamber. The external fanis operatively connected to a second motor disposed within the internalchamber and substantially isolated from the external fan. Duringoperation, the first motor and the second motor independently rotate theinternal fan and the external fan, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, a thermal system embodying the principles of thepresent disclosure is illustrated therein and designated as 100. Thesystem 100 comprises one or more enclosures such as an indoor or outdoorcabinet 102. As used herein, the term “cabinet” is intended in itsbroadest sense, and may refer to any suitable structure operable tomaintain or store a plurality of components in an infrastructure. Thecabinet 102 and parts thereof may be constructed from one or moresuitable metals or materials, such as, but not limited to, steel,stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, plastic, etc. As skilled artisanswill readily appreciate, such materials may be selected based on variousfactors, such as thermal characteristics, strength, durability, etc.

While the cabinet 102 is shown as being generally hollow andrectangular, the cabinet 102 may comprise any variety of suitableconfigurations, which may be based on the application or purpose forwhich the cabinet 102 is to be employed. Briefly, for example, thecabinet 102 may be configured as a housing for a terminal block, apanel, a protector block, a chassis, a digital cross-connect, a switch,a hub, a rack, a frame, a bay, a module, an enclosure, an aisle, orother structure for receiving and holding a plurality of components.

In an embodiment, a plurality of cabinets 102 may be disposed throughoutan infrastructure at a plurality of sites. For instance, one or morecabinets 102 may be disposed inside a building. Additionally oralternatively, one or more cabinets 102 may be configured as outdoorcabinets (e.g., outside plant cabinets) and disposed outside a building.As discussed further below, one or more cabinets 102 may be configuredto protect components from environmental influences. Such components mayinclude, but are not limited to, cross-connect panels, modules, terminalblocks, protector blocks, chassis, backplanes, switches, digital radiosrepeaters, or any combination thereof.

A cabinet 102 may generally comprise multiple panels or walls havingvarious shapes and/or sizes. In an embodiment, the cabinet 102 mayinclude a cover or door 104 for providing access to the interior of thecabinet 102. While only a single door 104 is shown in FIG. 1, it is tobe understood that the cabinet 102 may include additional doors orcovers. In one aspect, the door 104 may comprise a double-walledconstruction including an outer wall 106 and an inner wall 108. Theinner wall 108 may be spaced from the outer wall 106 by any suitablemechanism or device, such as, but not limited to, “I”-shaped spacers,“Z”-shaped spacers, spacer-bolt assemblies, spacer columns, or the like.

In an embodiment, the outer wall 106 and the inner wall 108 of the door104 may be thermally independent of each other. For instance, the outerand inner walls 106 and 108 may be configured such that there is no or asubstantially insignificant amount of thermal transfer between thesurfaces of each wall 106 and 108. As such, heating of the cabinet 102(e.g., via solar heating) may not result in a substantial transfer ofheat from the outer wall 106 to the inner wall 108.

In an embodiment, the cabinet 102 may include one or more openingsformed into the walls or panels of the cabinet 102. As shown in FIG. 1,for example, the cabinet 102 may include a sidewall 107 having aplurality of ports or vents 110. Of course, a plurality of similar portsor vents may be disposed on the opposing sidewall of the cabinet 102.Additionally or alternatively, the cabinet 102 may include a pluralityof vents formed at a bottom wall 111 and/or at one or more othercorresponding walls or panels. The vents 110 may comprise any suitablesize and/or shape for allowing air to flow into and/or out of thecabinet 102. Moreover, the vents 110 may be shaped or otherwiseconfigured to minimize the entry of debris or other particles resultingfrom environmental conditions (e.g., humidity, wind, rain, snow, dust,etc.) into the cabinet 102. Furthermore, the cabinet 102 may comprisefilter media, screening, and/or any suitable filtering elements forminimizing and/or preventing the entry of moisture and debris into thecabinet 102.

The cabinet 102 may comprise a cabinet top 109 covering a top wall ofthe cabinet 102 and extending over the door 104 when the door 104 isclosed. As such, the entry and possible accumulation of outdoorparticles at the top section where the closed door 104 and the cabinet102 meet may be minimized. In addition, the cabinet 102 may comprise oneor more gaskets, seals, or any suitable sealing elements known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the cabinet 102 may besubstantially sealed when the door 104 is closed.

In an embodiment, the cabinet 102 may comprise one or more compartmentsfor enclosing components such as electronic equipment. As depicted inFIG. 1, for example, the cabinet 102 may include a main compartment 112defining an inner chamber. The main compartment 112 may be configured toprovide a watertight and/or airtight environment when the cabinet door104 is closed. The main compartment 112 may be formed from separatewalls and/or from one or more walls of the cabinet 102. For instance, aportion of the door 104 such as the inner wall 108 may define a frontwall 113 of the main compartment 112. Furthermore, the main compartment112 may be spaced from other walls and/or compartments within thecabinet 102 by any suitable spacers. Analogous to the door 104, the maincompartment 112 may be completely or substantially thermally independentfrom other compartments and/or walls of the cabinet 102.

In an embodiment, one or more walls of the main compartment 112 may bedefined by a single-walled door (e.g., door 104), which may also definea wall to other compartments of the housing. Additionally, the walls ofthe main compartment 112 may include one or more openings fitted withsuitable attachments such as one or more cable connectors, strain reliefcable connectors, etc. Such attachments may facilitate the passage ofcables into the main compartment 112, as well as provide a seal orbarrier between the main compartment 112 and other compartments of thecabinet 102. For instance, the cabinet 102 may comprise at least oneauxiliary compartment 114 for enclosing additional components (e.g.,batteries), which may or may not be related to other components withinthe cabinet 102.

In an embodiment, the cabinet 102 may comprise an entrance compartment116. The entrance compartment 116 may include one or more walls havingopenings through which power cables, telecommunications cables, and thelike may be routed into the cabinet 102 (e.g., via conduits or atrench). Of course, other cabinet walls or panels may include similaropening for routing cables and/or interconnecting other compartmentswithin the cabinet 102. Additionally or alternatively, the cabinet 120may comprise a temperature compartment 120 defining an outer chambersurrounding or adjacent to one or more compartments. For instance, thetemperature compartment 120 may be configured to circulate air aroundthe walls or panels of the main compartment 112 to facilitate cooling orheating of components within the main compartment 112.

In an embodiment, the cabinet 102 may comprise a vent compartment 118.The vent compartment generally includes at least one wall having one ormore ports (e.g., vents 110) through which air may flow into and/or outof the vent compartment 118. As discussed further below, additionalwalls within the cabinet 102 may include similar openings to facilitatethe flow of air through the cabinet 102. In alternative embodiments, thecabinet 102 may not include a vent compartment 118. Instead, forexample, various walls of the cabinet 102 may include a plurality ofports defining multiple openings through which air may directly and/orindirectly flow into the temperature compartment 120.

Of course, numerous other elements and/or features associated with thecabinet 102 may be similarly employed, and therefore, necessarily fallwithin the purview of the present disclosure. In addition, since theconstruction of cabinets of the sort depicted in FIG. 1 is well knownand understood, discussion of the cabinet 102 will herein be limited tothe extent necessary for enabling a proper understanding of the presentdisclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, each cabinet 102disclosed herein may be viewed as being substantially similar to oneanother (i.e., to the extent a cabinet 102 may comprise similar elementsand features).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-section of the cabinet 102 isillustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecabinet 102 generally includes a main compartment 112 defining an innermain chamber 112A, an auxiliary compartment 114 defining an auxiliarychamber 114A, and a temperature compartment 120 (FIG. 1) defining anouter temperature chamber 120A. The temperature chamber may be arrangedto fully or partially surround the main chamber 112A and/or theauxiliary chamber 114. In other implementations, the cabinet 102 mayinclude additional compartments (e.g., compartments 112, 114, and/or116), including one or more entrance compartments 116 and/or ventcompartments 118. Additionally, the cabinet 102 may include a coverand/or either a single-walled or double-walled door (e.g., door 104). Asdiscussed above, the main compartment 112 may be configured to providean airtight and/or watertight environment such that the main chamber112A is substantially sealed from the outer temperature chamber 120Awhen a cabinet cover/door is closed.

As previously mentioned, the main compartment 112 may enclose one ormore components 122, which may not necessarily be related to each other.While only three components are shown in FIG. 2, skilled artisans willappreciate that any suitable number of components may be disposed withinthe main chamber 112A. Furthermore, one or more auxiliary components 124may be disposed within the auxiliary chamber 114, which may be insulatedto protect components 124 therein. The auxiliary components 124 may ormay not relate to one or more of the components 122. In a non-limitingexample, the auxiliary components 124 may include one or more batteries.

According to one aspect, the components 122 may comprisetelecommunications equipment that may be stored or maintained in anenclosure such as the cabinet 102, which may be disposed within aninfrastructure. In a non-limiting example, the components 122 mayinclude devices utilized for processing and distributing signals in aninfrastructure. For instance, the components 122 may be utilized todistribute telecommunications signals sent to and from an infrastructureby one or more end-users using client devices (e.g., computers, personaldigital assistant (PDA) devices, mobile phones, etc). As skilledartisans will readily appreciate, the components 122 may terminate,interconnect, and/or cross-connect a plurality of network elementswithin an infrastructure. Such interconnections betweentelecommunications equipment (e.g., cabinets, components, networkelements, etc.) may be configured to provide signal pathways fortelecommunications signals.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the temperature of one ormore areas within the main chamber 112A may need to be regulated. If,for example, the temperature in an area outside the cabinet 102 isrelatively hot, the main chamber 112A may need to be cooled in order toprotect the components 122 therein. Furthermore, the main chamber 112Amay need to be cooled due to heat generated by the components 122 in themain chamber 112A. Components 122 such as electrical equipment, forexample, may generate a considerable amount of heat, which may result indamage to one or more components 122 if the chamber 112A is notsufficiently cooled. Conversely, if the temperature in the area outsidethe cabinet 102 is too cold, areas within the cabinet 102 may be heated.

In view of the above, the cabinet 102 may comprise at least one device126 for regulating temperature within the cabinet 102.Temperature-regulating devices 126 may be configured to cool, heat, orotherwise regulate the temperature or other conditions within thecabinet 102. Non-limiting examples of such devices include fans,heaters, heat exchangers, thermoelectric coolers, air conditioningunits, etc. The temperature-regulating device 126 may be disposed withinthe cabinet 102 along a path in communication with the temperaturechamber 120A. While the temperature-regulating device 126 is shown asbeing disposed between the cabinet top 109 and the main compartment 112,it is to be understood that the temperature-regulating device 126 may bedisposed within any suitable area of the temperature chamber 120A.Additionally, the cabinet 102 may not necessarily include a cabinet top109. In this case, the temperature-regulating device 126 may be disposedwithin the cabinet 102 along a top wall 115 extending between eachsidewall 107A and 107B of the cabinet 102.

The temperature-regulating device 126 may be configured to regulate thetemperature within the temperature chamber 120A, which may in turnregulate the temperature within the main chamber 112A and the auxiliarychamber 114A. For instance, the temperature-regulating device 126 mayregulate temperature by heating or cooling the external surface of themain compartment 112 and/or the auxiliary compartment 114. Additionallyor alternatively, the main compartment 112 may include one or moreopenings through which air may flow between the temperature chamber 120Aand the main chamber 112A. Similarly, the auxiliary compartment 114 mayinclude one or more openings to allow air or other gasses (e.g.,hydrogen produced by batteries) to flow through the auxiliarycompartment 114.

In an embodiment, the temperature-regulating device 126 may be operableto push or pull outside air into the cabinet 102 in order to aid withheating or cooling areas therein. The arrows in FIG. 2 depict an exampleas to how the temperature-regulating device 126 may direct the flow ofair within and through the cabinet 102. For instance, each end of thecabinet top 109 (or top wall of the cabinet) may include an inlet 128Aand 128B through which the temperature-regulating device 26 may drawoutside air into the cabinet 102, as indicated by arrows 200A and 200B.In turn, the temperature-regulating equipment 126 may direct air flowinginto the cabinet 102 through the temperature chamber 120A to help heator cool areas within the cabinet 102, as indicated by arrows 202A and202B. Moreover, both sides of the cabinet 102 may include a lower outletor vents 110A and 110B through which air, gases, and/or other media(e.g., byproducts generated by components and equipment held in thecompartments 112 and/or 114) may flow out of the cabinet 102, asindicated by arrows 204A and 204B.

In an embodiment, a temperature-regulating device may include a fan 126having a blade portion such as one or more rotatable blades. The fan 126may be operatively connected to a power source such as, but not limitedto, an engine or an electric motor 130. In FIG. 2, the motor 130 isdisposed within the main compartment 112, whereas the fan 126 isdisposed along the top wall 115 of the cabinet 102. In other words, themotor 130 and the fan 126 are not integrally connected or otherwiseembodied as a single unit. Unlike common fan arrangements, the body ofthe motor 130 (e.g., the stator and/or rotor portions) is separated fromthe blade portion of the fan 126. While the fan 126 may be indirectlyexposed to outdoor elements through inlets 128A and 128B formed at thecabinet top 109, the electrical elements associated with the motor 130may be protectively sealed from such elements, which may otherwise addwear and/or damage the motor 130.

The foregoing arrangement may be similarly useful in implementations inwhich a cabinet top 109 is not included. In such cases, for example, atleast one inlet (e.g., inlet 128A and 128B) may be disposed along theinner top wall 115 and/or along a sidewall 107A and/or 107B, such thatthe inlet(s) may be aligned with or proximate to the fan 126.Consequently, the fan 126 may be arranged along a “wet side” of thecabinet 102 in which wind-swept rain, snow, and the like may directlycontact the fan 126. Nonetheless, since the motor 130 and thecorresponding components that operate the fan 126 remain fully orsubstantially isolated from the wet side, the overall lifespan of thefan 126 may be enhanced.

According to one aspect, the motor 130 may include a rotatable shaft 132movably attached to the blade portion of the fan 126. In operation, themotor 130 may rotate or otherwise drive the shaft 132, which inducesrotation of the blade portion of the fan 126. In other aspects, themotor 130 may rotate the blade portion using a mechanism other than ashaft 132. These aspects are described below in connection with FIG. 4.As skilled artisans will readily appreciate, one or more seals (e.g.,“O-ring” seals) may be circumferentially arranged around the shaft 132to isolate the motor 130 from the fan 126. In addition, the shaft 132may be an elongated shaft having a sufficient length to extend through acabinet wall or plate in order to connect to the blade portion of thefan 126. Moreover, the shaft 132 may take the form of a flexible shaft,which may be arranged within a flexible sleeve. As such, the anglebetween the motor 132 and the fan 126 (or blade portion thereof) may bevaried. For instance, the motor 130 may be disposed parallel to the fan126, perpendicular to the fan 126, or angularly offset from the fan 126by a predetermine degree.

In some embodiments, the fan 126 may comprise a non-rotary type of fansuch as a piezo-electronic fan. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, apiezo-electric fan 126 may include an oscillating element such as ablade 133. The blade 133 may be flexible or otherwise configured tooscillate in a flapping motion as indicated by the lines and arrow.Analogous to the motor 130 that drives the fan 126 in FIG. 2, thecircuitry 136 for operating the piezo-electric 126 may be maintainedwithin the main compartment 112 so as to isolate the associatedelectronics from the “wet side” of the cabinet 102. For instance, asealing element such as a boot 137 may be arranged at or about a baseportion of the blade 133. The boot 137 may be composed from any suitablematerial(s) capable of providing sufficient isolation between theelectronic circuitry 136 and the wet side such as the cabinet top 109.In some aspects, the boot 137 may comprise a relatively flexiblecomposition including rubber and the like.

In an embodiment, the cabinet 102 may include a minimum of twotemperature-regulating devices driven by separate motors. Briefly, forexample, the cabinet 102 may include at least one externaltemperature-regulating device such an external fan and at least oneinternal temperature-regulating device such as an internal fan. Anisolated motor disposed within the cabinet 102 may drive the externalfan, whereas a separate motor integrated with internal fan may drive theinternal fan. Since the cabinet 102 includes at least two motors drivingat least two fans, the cabinet 102 includes a form of redundancy thatmay enhance reliability. For instance, the two motors may operateindependently such that if the motor of one fan becomes damaged,temporarily disabled, or otherwise inoperable, the second motorized fanmay continue operating. Accordingly, total cooling efficiency within thecabinet 102 will not be lost if only one of the two motors shuts down.

Referring to FIG. 4, the foregoing embodiment will now be described ingreater detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the cabinet 102 includes a firstpair of temperature-regulating devices 126A and 126B disposed within thecabinet 102 along the inner top wall 115, and a second pair oftemperature-regulating devices 134A and 134B disposed along the innersidewalls of the main chamber 112A. Skilled artisans will appreciatethat each temperature-regulating device 126A, 126B, 134A, and 134B maycomprise any suitable device or combination of devices (e.g., fans,heaters, heat exchangers, thermoelectric coolers, air conditioningunits, etc.). Further, the temperature-regulating devices 126A, 126B,134A, and 134B do not necessarily need to be identical to each other.

In an embodiment, each temperature-regulating device 126A, 126B 134A,and 134B comprises a fan. The first pair of fans 126A and 126B includeexternal fans having motors 130A and 130B, respectively, and one or morefan blades. The external fans 126A and 126B may be mounted at or near anopening in a top cabinet wall 115 between inlets 128A and 128B via anysuitable fasteners known in the art, e.g., bolts, studs, etc. As shownin FIG. 4, the motors 130A and 130B are disposed within the main chamber112A and isolated from the external fans 126A and 126B, respectively.Additionally, each motor 130A and 130B may include an elongated shaft132A and 132B, which may be rigid or flexible.

The second pair of fans 134A and 134B include internal fans disposedwithin the main chamber 112A and operatively connected to motorsembedded therewith (denoted schematically by a rectangular boxsurrounding each fan 134A and 134B). The internal fans 134A and 134B maycomprise axial fans, centrifugal fans, or any other suitable types offan known in the art. In other implementations of the presentembodiment, the cabinet 102 may include a single external fan (e.g., fan126A or 126B) driven by an isolated motor and a single internal fan(e.g., fan 134A or 134B) driven by an integrated motor.

In an embodiment, the transfer of heat from the components 122 to thetemperature chamber 120A may be facilitated by at least one heatexchanger such as, but not limited to, at least one reverse- and/orcross-flow plate heat exchanger(s), pipe-type heat exchanger(s), etc.The heat exchanger(s) may comprise one or more heat-exchanging elements140A and/or 140B defining a heat exchanger core. The heat-exchangingelements 140A and 140B may include one or more extended or convolutedsurfaces (e.g., fins), heat pipes, thermoelectric devices, thermallyconductive plates, and/or any other suitable elements for transferringheat from one medium to another, e.g., via conduction, convection,thermal radiation, etc. Each heat-exchanging element 140A and 140B maybe disposed within the temperature chamber 120A and extend verticallyalong a length of the main compartment 112. To facilitate airflow acrossthe heat-exchanging elements 640A and 640B, the heat-exchanging elements140A and 140B may each define a passageway in communication with theexternal fans 126A and 126B, respectively, and a separate passageway incommunication with the internal fans 134A and 134B, respectively.

As indicated by arrows 202A and 202B, the external fans 126A and 126Bare operable to direct outside air into the heat-exchanging elements140A and 140B, respectively. As indicated by arrows 206A and 206B, theinternal fans 134A and 134B are operable to direct air within the mainchamber 112A into the heat-exchanging elements 140A and 140B,respectively. According to one aspect, the heat-exchanging elements 140Aand 140B may comprise thermally conductive fins or plates, which may bearranged so as to provide orthogonal airflows. In another aspect, theheat-exchanging elements 140A and 140B—and/or one or more of the fans126A, 126B, 134A, and 134B—may be arranged to provide parallel airflowsin similar or opposite directions.

In operation, heat is transferred from the components 122 to theheat-exchanging elements 140A and 140B by an internal airflow (indicatedby arrows 206A, 206B and arrows 208A, 208B) circulated by the internalfans 134A and 134B, respectively. The heat may then be transferred outof the cabinet 102 by an external airflow (indicated by arrows 202A,202B and arrows 204A, 204B) across the heat-exchanging elements 140A and140B circulated by the external fans 126A and 126B, respectively. Inaddition, the flow of outside air over the heat-exchanging elements 140Aand 140B reduces the temperature thereof. Consequently, as the hot airfrom the main chamber 112A flows over the heat-exchanging elements 140Aand 140B, the temperature of the inside air decreases, thereby coolingthe main chamber 112A and components 122 thereof as the inside airreturns to the main chamber 112A. Similarly, heat from the hot airwithin the main chamber 112A transfers to the heat-exchanging elements140A and 140B, and heat from the heat-exchanging elements 140A and 140Btransfers to the outside air flowing over the heat-exchanging elements140A and 140B. Therefore, the overall heat within the cabinet 102decreases as the outside air transfers heat from the heat-exchangingelements 140A and 140B and through the cabinet 102 via vents 110A and110B, respectively.

In an embodiment, the isolated motors 130A and 130B may be operativelyconnected to the corresponding external fans 126A and 126B by way ofmagnetic coupling. In this manner, each motor and external fan may beconnected without any physical contact. Instead, each motor 130A and130B may include a magnetic shaft 132A and 132B and each correspondingfan 126A and 126B may comprise a magnetic blade portion (e.g., a magnetmounted to a fan hub). Additionally, a composite wall may separate eachmotor 130A and 130B and corresponding fan 126A and 126B. In FIG. 4, forexample, the top wall 115 may comprise a non-ferrous composition orother suitable composition in which no penetration through the wall 115is necessary. In operation, a magnetic force induces rotation of theblade portions as the corresponding magnetic shafts 132A and 132Brotate. Accordingly, the motors 130A and 130B and the fans 126A and 126Bmay be sealed from each other by a single wall or plate such that noadditional seals are necessary.

In an embodiment, magnetic liquid may be employed for sealing orisolating the motors 130A and 130B from the external fans 126A and 126B,respectively. According to one aspect, the cabinet 102 may include apair of magnetic bearings having magnetic liquid. For instance, bearingsmay be employed to support each shaft 132A and 132B during operation(e.g., when a rotor rotates around a stator). Additionally oralternatively, the cabinet 102 may comprise a magnetic bearing assemblyhaving a magnetic portion for generating axially and/or radiallymagnetic forces and a bearing portion for supporting each shaft 132A and132B. As skilled artisans will understand, such as a magnetic bearingassembly may be utilized in each motor 130A and 130B to providesubstantially frictionless rotation of the shafts 132A and 132B,respectively.

In an embodiment, each motor 130A and 130B may include a magnetic shaft132A and 132B. As the shafts 132A and 132B rotate during operation,magnetic bearings may levitate the shafts 132A and 132B such that africtionless seal is provided between the shafts 132A and 132B and therotating fans 126A and 126B, respectively. Additionally or alternativelyeach motor 130A and 130B may include a permanent magnet in which themotors 130A and 130B may rotate the shafts 132A and 132B by applyingcurrent or communicating an electrical signal to the correspondingpermanent magnet. Furthermore, a labyrinth seal may be arranged on therotatable shafts 132A and 132B. For instance, a labyrinth seal mayinclude a first set of concentric rings aligned with a second set ofconcentric rings in a contactless arrangement.

In an embodiment, the external fans 126A and 126B may each be driven bya single motor (e.g., motor 130A or 130B). For instance, the motor maybe operatively connected to each external fan 126A and 126B by way of acable and pulley arrangement, a chain drive system, or any suitablearrangement for driving multiple rotary devices such as fans.Accordingly, the cabinet 102 may include one or more external fans inaddition to fans 126A and 126B, all drivable by a single isolated motordisposed within the cabinet 102. Similarly, two or more isolated motorsmay independently drive multiple fans.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the cabinet 102 is shown inwhich a heat exchanger is mounted to a cabinet door 104 (FIG. 1). Theheat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core 140, which may include atleast one heat-exchanging element substantially similar to theheat-exchanging elements 140A and 140B discussed above. The heatexchanger core 140 is disposed between at least one external fan 126(e.g., fan 126A and/or 126B) and at least one internal fan 134 (e.g.,fan 134A and/or 134B). As indicated by arrows at 300, the external fan126 is operable to draw outside air into an internal chamber 102A of thecabinet 102. As indicated by arrows 302, the internal fan 134 isoperable to draw internal air into the door 104. Furthermore, theexternal fan 126 and the internal fan 134 may be configured to directair into the heat exchanger core 140 such that air flows through theheat-exchanging element(s) in similar or opposite directions.

In an embodiment, the external fan 126 is disposed along a “wet side”104A of the door 104 that may not be completely sealed. For instance, asthe external fan 126 draws in outside air, wind-swept rain, snow, andthe like may contact the fan 126. Analogous to the embodiment depictedin FIG. 4, however, the motor 130 (e.g., 130A or 130B) that drives theexternal fan 126 is isolated therefrom. The isolated motor 130 may beoperatively connected to the fan 126 according to any suitablearrangement, e.g., physically and/or magnetically. Unlike the externalfan 126, the internal fan 134 is disposed within a sealed chamber 150formed within the door 104. Moreover, the internal fan 134 is driven bya motor 135 embedded therewith.

In operation, the external fan 126 draws outside air into the cabinet102, while the internal fan 134 draws air within the internal chamber102A into the heat exchanger core 140. Air flowing within the internalchamber 102A may be heated by the components 122 and/or 124 therein.Heat may be transferred from the components 122 and/or 124 to the heatexchanger core 140 through a wall or plate 160 disposed therebetweenand/or by an internal air flow circulated by the external fan 132 and/orthe internal fan 134. For instance, the internal fan 134 may directheated air into the heat exchanger core 140 such that the heated air issubsequently cooled by outside air flowing into the exchanger core 140from the wet side 104A. Heated air within the heat exchanger core 140may also be cooled by outside air flowing along an external surface ofthe door 104. As indicated by arrow 304, air exiting the heat exchangercore 140 may flow into the internal chamber 102A to cool the airtherein. Air within the internal chamber 102A may also be cooled byoutside air flowing into the cabinet 102 (e.g., through at least onepassageway in communication with the external fan 126). Air within theheat exchanger core 140 may be expelled through one or more outlets orvents 170 formed into the cabinet door 104, as indicated by arrow 306.

Skilled artisans will readily appreciate that the heat exchanger core140 may define several passageways for communicating air into theinternal chamber 102A and/or out of the cabinet door 103. Depending onthe configuration of the heat exchanger core 140, the external fan 126and/or the internal fan 134 may direct one volume of air through theheat exchanger core 140 and into the internal chamber 102A. Similarly,the external fan 126 and/or the internal fan 134 may direct anothervolume of air through the heat exchanger core 140 and out of the cabinetdoor 104.

In other implementations of the present embodiment, the external fan 126and/or the internal fan 134 may be disposed at any suitable locationwithin the cabinet 102, which may or may not include an area within thedoor 104. Additionally, the cabinet 102 and/or the door 104 may includemultiple external fans 126 and/or multiple internal fans 134 arrangedaccording to any suitable configuration. In any case, the cabinet 102may still include independent motors (e.g., motors 130 and 135) forrunning the external fan(s) and the internal fan(s). Furthermore, it isto be understood that the cabinet 102 may include any of thecompartments disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a method 400 for isolatingcomponents within in an internal chamber of a cabinet will now bedescribed. The method 400 may be performed in accordance with any of theteachings disclosed herein. The method 400 begins at block 402. At block404, a first motor disposed within an internal chamber rotates anexternal fan disposed outside the internal chamber to draw outside airinto an outer chamber. At block 406, a second motor disposed within theinternal chamber independently rotates an internal fan disposed withinthe internal chamber to direct an airflow therethrough. The rotation ofthe external and internal fans results in a circulation of air withinthe cabinet such that heat transfers from the internal chamber to theouter chamber via one or more heat-exchanging elements, as indicated byblock 408. At block 410, heated air is directed out of the cabinet. Themethod 400 ends at block 412.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R₁, and an upper limit,R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specificallydisclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range arespecifically disclosed: R=R₁+k*(R_(u)−R₁), wherein k is a variableranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e.,k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . , 50percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numericalrange defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is alsospecifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to anyelement of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively,the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope ofthe claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and havingshould be understood to provide support for narrower terms such asconsisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantiallyof. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by thedescription set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, thatscope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into thespecification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the presentdisclosure. The discussion of a reference in the disclosure is not anadmission that it is prior art, especially any reference that has apublication date after the priority date of this application. Thedisclosure of all patents, patent applications, and publications citedin the disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extentthat they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementaryto the disclosure.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

1. A thermal system for isolating components, the system comprising: acabinet having an internal chamber for storing a plurality of componentstherein; a first fan disposed outside the internal chamber and operableto direct air into an outer chamber of the cabinet; a first motoroperatively connected to the first fan and operable to rotate the firstfan about a first axis, the first motor being disposed within theinternal chamber and substantially isolated from the first fan; a secondfan disposed within the internal chamber and operable to direct air flowthrough the internal chamber; and a second motor operatively connectedto the second fan and operable to rotate the second fan about a secondaxis, the second motor being disposed within the internal chamber,wherein the first motor and the second motor independently rotate thefirst fan and the second fan, respectively.
 2. The thermal system ofclaim 1, wherein the first motor is operatively connected to the firstfan by way of an elongated shaft rotatable therewith, the elongatedshaft extending through a cabinet wall disposed between the first motorand the first fan.
 3. The thermal system of claim 1, wherein the firstmotor is magnetically coupled to the first fan through a non-ferrouswall disposed therebetween, the first motor being in contactlesscooperation with the first fan.
 4. The thermal system of claim 1,wherein the first motor comprises a magnetic shaft for rotating amagnetic blade portion of the first fan, the magnetic shaft beingdisposed within the internal chamber at a location proximate to themagnetic blade portion for frictionless rotation therewith.
 5. Thethermal system of claim 1, further comprising at least oneheat-exchanging element disposed at least partially within an area ofthe outer chamber surrounding the internal chamber, the at least oneheat-exchanging element being operable to transfer heat from theinternal chamber by at least one of conduction or convection.
 6. Thethermal system of claim 2, wherein the elongated shaft comprises aflexible shaft extending between the first motor and the first fan in adirection such that the first motor is angularly offset from the firstaxis.
 7. The thermal system of claim 2, wherein the elongated shaft is amagnetic shaft supported by at least one magnetic bearing, the magneticshaft and the at least one magnetic bearing cooperating to create asubstantially frictionless seal.
 8. The thermal system of claim 1,wherein the cabinet is selected from a plurality of cabinets, eachcabinet of the plurality of cabinets being configured substantially thesame as the cabinet, the plurality of cabinets being outdoor cabinetsdisposed throughout an infrastructure, each cabinet being operable toprotectively seal a plurality of components stored within each internalchamber, respectively.
 9. The thermal system of claim 8, wherein theplurality of components comprise telecommunications equipment associatedwith the infrastructure, each component of the plurality of componentsbeing operable to interconnect a plurality of network elements withinthe infrastructure.
 10. A cabinet comprising: an outer chamber; aninternal chamber for storing components, wherein the internal chamber issubstantially disposed within the outer chamber; an external fandisposed outside the internal chamber and operable to direct outside airinto the outer chamber of the cabinet and across a first portion of atleast one heat exchanger; a first motor operatively connected to theexternal fan and operable to rotate the external fan about a first axis,the first motor being disposed within the internal chamber andsubstantially isolated from the external fan; an internal fan disposedwithin the internal chamber and operable to direct air flow through theinternal chamber and across a second portion of the at least one heatexchanger; and a second motor operatively connected to the internal fanand operable to rotate the internal fan about a second axis, the secondmotor being disposed within the internal chamber and integrally attachedto the internal fan, wherein the first motor and the second motorindependently rotate the external fan and the internal fan,respectively.
 11. The cabinet of claim 10, wherein the first motor isoperatively connected to the external fan by way of an elongated shaftrotatable therewith, the elongated shaft extending through a cabinetwall disposed between the first motor and the external fan.
 12. Thecabinet of claim 11, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a flexibleshaft extending between the first motor and the external fan in adirection such that the first motor is angularly offset from the firstaxis.
 13. The cabinet of claim 11, wherein the elongated shaft is amagnetic shaft supported by at least one magnetic bearing, the magneticshaft and the at least one magnetic bearing cooperating to create asubstantially frictionless seal.
 14. The cabinet of claim 11, furthercomprising at least one labyrinth seal circumferentially arranged aroundthe elongated shaft.
 15. The cabinet of claim 10, wherein the firstmotor is magnetically coupled to the external fan through a non-ferrouswall disposed therebetween, the first motor being in contactlesscooperation with the external fan.
 16. The cabinet of claim 10, whereinthe first motor comprises a magnetic shaft for rotating a magnetic bladeportion of the external fan, the magnetic shaft being disposed withinthe internal chamber at a location proximate to the magnetic bladeportion for frictionless rotation therewith.
 17. The cabinet of claim10, wherein the first motor is operatively connected to and operable torotate multiple external fans, each fan selected from the multipleexternal fans being disposed outside the internal chamber and configuredsubstantially the same as the external fan.
 18. A method for isolatingcomponents within an internal chamber of a cabinet from an outer chamberof the cabinet, the method comprising: rotating an external fan via afirst motor disposed within the internal chamber and substantiallyisolated from the external fan, the external fan being disposed outsidethe cabinet and operable to direct outside air into the outer chamber;and rotating an internal fan via second motor disposed within theinternal chamber, the internal fan being operable to direct air flowthrough the internal chamber; wherein the first motor and the secondmotor independently rotate the external fan and the internal fan,respectively.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingtransferring heat from the internal chamber to a heat-exchanging elementdisposed within the cabinet, the transfer of heat being via at least oneof convection and conduction.
 20. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising: directing the outside air into the heat-exchanging element,the outside air flowing across the heat-exchanging element; circulatingair within the internal chamber across the heat-exchanging element, theoutside air flowing across the heat-exchanging element cooling thecirculated air; and directing air flowing out of an end of theheat-exchanging element out of the cabinet, the air flowing out of theend including heated air from the internal chamber.